Contact: Erika Martinez
(505) 986-4263
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2015
“Invest 205” Bill to Extend School Year Passes Senate Education Committee
Senator Joseph Cervantes Says Bill Contributes to Student Success
Santa Fe, NM –Today, Senate Bill 563 (SB 563) passed the Senate Education Committee to increase the number of school days for students in kindergarten through fifth grade to 205 days, and reduce prolonged summer vacation. Bill sponsor, Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-31-Doña Ana), says SB 563, dubbed “Invest 205”, would make New Mexico a national leader in instructional days.
“Providing students with 25 more instructional days gives them opportunity to effectively absorb the class curriculum and succeed,” said Sen. Cervantes. “Research shows that increased instructional time in the early grades will improve math and reading skills of our students. It will improve graduation rates, college remediation rates, and the economic well-being of the state.”
“With students now having to take so many additional standardized tests, precious instructional time is being lost. Summer regression and learning loss adversely affect student learning,” Sen. Cervantes added.
According to a children’s literacy nonprofit organization, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), students lose more than two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer vacation months. Low-income children experience greater summer learning loss in reading achievement of more than two months.
According to provisions of the bill, SB 563 will not become effective unless Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 12) is approved by voters at the next general election. SJR 12 proposes that New Mexicans make an additional distribution from the Permanent School Fund to implement a longer school year for public schools, for kindergarten to fifth grade. SJR 12 would authorize approximately $109.5 million in additional revenue to public schools in fiscal years (FY) 17, $120.4 million in FY18, and $130.8 million in FY19, for the additional 25 days of instruction.
“This initiative allows teachers the time needed to effectively instruct our kids and assures that our kids are not going to lose what they’ve learned from grade to grade. New Mexico remains at the bottom of education ratings when compared to all other states and it’s time we change that. This bill will elevate our education system significantly,” Sen. Cervantes said.
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